The UEFA EURO 2024 is just around the corner, bringing with it a wave of excitement and joy that will spread beyond the city. While the matches are taking place and everyone is cheering on the teams, the little ones should also get their money's worth during this exciting time. Whether they are big football fans or not, this article lists a variety of activities to keep children entertained and amused. Our 11 tips for Berlin with kids!
Tip 1: Climbing and watching football in the Jungfernheide forest high ropes course
The Waldhochseilgarten is a great viewing tip for families, to watch the matches of the German national team together. In addition to these broadcasts, other matches are also shown depending on the time of the game and weather conditions. The grown-ups can make themselves comfortable on beer benches and cosy deckchairs, while the little ones have fun in the climbing forest. The public viewing is free of charge, but places are limited. The organisers therefore ask you to book in advance. This way, you will also be notified if a broadcast has to be cancelled due to bad weather.
Where: Heckerdamm 260, Charlottenburg
When: Public viewing at all matches of the German national football team, as well as after announcement
More tips for public viewing
Tip 2: Build your dream trophy at the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
The LEGOLAND Discovery Centre has come up with a few very special activities for UEFA EURO 2024. One workshop is all about flags and jerseys. There are no limits to the imagination of the little Lego fans. From the jersey of their favourite team to a fantasy flag, everything is allowed. The creations can of course be taken home. The kids can also be creative when putting together their dream trophy. All trophies will be exhibited on site! In addition to the football specials, numerous other attractions await you, such as the 4D cinema, the LEGO® factory, the medieval dragon castle and a magical carousel. And anyone wearing the football shirt of their favourite team is invited to the café for a free mini slushie.
Tip: At Sea Life you can watch the rays "play football". As part of the activity concept for the animals, you can watch them play this slightly different football game on match days of the German national team.
Where: Potsdamer Straße 4, Mitte
When: Daily 10am - 7pm
Tickets for the LEGOLAND Discovery Centre
Tip 3: Play and climb at the Radical Playgrounds
On the occasion of UEFA EURO 2024, the art trail "Radical Playgrounds: from Competition to Collaboration" combines a sculpture park, a labyrinth, a skywalk and an exhibition on the history of playgrounds and performances. The focus is on communal interaction instead of competition. The little ones can climb, play, dig in the sand and take part in many workshops. There are also lots of exciting activities for adults. A beer garden and several kiosks provide you with cool drinks, snacks and ice cream.
Tip: In the visitBerlin Podcast Berlin Unboxed, the Radical Playgrounds curator Joana Warsza discusses competition, collaboration and the definition of winning with ex-national players Josephine Henning and Tabea Kemme.
Where: Gropius-Bau, Niederkirchnerstraße 7, Mitte
When: until 14. July, Wednesdays to Sundays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tip 4: Go swimming and watch football
Experience the thrilling moments of UEFA EURO 2024 live at the public viewing in the picturesque Wendenschloss lido in Berlin-Köpenick. From 14 June to 14 July, you can watch all exciting Germany matches, the exciting eighth and quarter finals, as well as the thrilling semi-finals and, of course, the eagerly awaited final live on a large LED screen right on the beach. TVs in the beer garden and in the cosy beach bar also ensure a relaxed atmosphere. And of course, you can also enjoy a trip to the bathing lakes on football-free days. We have summarised the most beautiful lidos for you here:
Where: Strandbad Wendenschloss, Möllhausenufer 30, Köpenick
When: For all Germany matches
Tip 5: Football fever and star moments at Madame Tussauds
Experience an interactive football area full of fan chants, player murmurs and the smell of fresh grass at Madame Tussauds Berlin. Accompany Argentinian star Lionel Messi through the stadium tunnel into the football area and practise your winning pose. Alongside legends Manuel Neuer and Oliver Kahn, you can show off your talent at the goal wall and capture unforgettable moments. Excitement until injury time: compete against Joshua Kimmich in the penalty shoot-out and show off your skills. After the final whistle, the press conference awaits you, where you can answer the presenters' questions. Then celebrate with the wax legend Uwe Seeler and the World Cup trophy from 1954. But it's not just football fans who get their money's worth: Madame Tussauds Berlin offers numerous photo backdrops for perfect selfies and family photos.
Tip: At Little BIG City you can see the biggest fan zone at the Brandenburg Gate in miniature, including artificial turf!
Where: Unter den Linden 74, Mitte
When: Daily: 10-19 h (last admission 18:00 pm), Special opening hours can be found on the website
Tip 6: Children's programme at Spandau Citadel
Spandau Citadel is one of the best-preserved Renaissance fortresses in Europe and a living history site. Today, it serves as a cultural centre for various events such as medieval festivals, music festivals, theatre performances and exhibitions. The Bat Cellar, where around 200 flying foxes can be observed, is particularly popular with children. It is open daily and also features an exhibition about bats. Other activities for families and children include an annual children's festival, puppet theatre for children from the age of three, tours and workshops especially for the youngest visitors.
Where: Spandau Citadel, Am Juliusturm 64, Spandau
When: In the summer months
More info about the programme at the Zitadelle
Tip 7: Enjoy a European evening at the Alte Münze
Right at the start of UEFA EURO 2024, the Alte Münze is hosting a sociable evening where people from different nations come together. There will be a communal dinner for friends and family at a long table, accompanied by concerts, talks and dancing. Participants can make new friends and exchange ideas. Some country representatives of the participating European Championship nations will present their culture with typical music, traditional costumes, dances and food. Young and old alike will have the opportunity to prove their accuracy in goal kicking. Afterwards, the opening game of the European Championship will be watched together and the evening can end with an after-show party. Together with EinDollarBrille e.V., the event will promote more inclusion in football.
Where: Alte Münze Berlin, Molkenmarkt 2, Mitte
When: 14 and 15 June
Tip 8: Go wild on the green pitch in front of the world's biggest goal
For UEFA EURO 2024, the Brandenburg Gate will become the biggest football goal in the world. A real highlight - especially for the little fans! Here you can watch the matches of the European Football Championship live on the biggest screen in the city, including all matches taking place in Berlin, all matches of the German national team and all matches of the elimination round from the quarter-finals onwards. In addition, football-related films will be shown. The official fan mile stretches from the Brandenburg Gate via Straße des 17. Juni to Große Queerallee. You can get active yourself on the green grass. Concerts, DJs, workshops and lots of activities for football fans are planned, and admission is free. The big opening show for the Football Culture Summer will take place on 12 June from 19:30, with performances by Luciano, Alvaro Soler, Elif and Leonie. Admission is also free.
Where: Platz des 18. März (square in front of the Brandenburg Gate) & Straße des 17. Juni, Mitte
When: daily from 8 am
More about the Brandenburg Gate
Tip 9: Take part in the children's theatre at the Luftschloss
There are theatre performances at Tempelhofer Feld in Berlin during the summer months! From popular children's plays and stand-up comedy for the whole family to a romantic flamenco night, there's something for everyone. The new open-air stage provides a cheerful programme that lets you enjoy the warm season to the full. From May to September you can look forward to a varied programme: Berlin singer-songwriters invite you to the Luftschloss, theatre evenings become imaginative experiences full of fresh improvisations, lightness and humour. Of course, music is also a must. Younger visitors can look forward to the open-air children's music festival, while the Fusion Slam offers innovative poetry slam events.
Where: Tempelhofer Feld, south-west entrance, Tempelhof
When: Various dates
Date overview of the programme items at Luftschloss
Tip 10: Cool off in Monbijoupark
The children's pool in Monbijoupark may not offer Olympic-sized pools, but that's precisely why it's an ideal destination for families. The two stylish steel pools invite the little ones in particular to splash around. While the children cool off in the paddling pool or the larger non-swimmer pool, the adults can relax on the lawn and plan their next visit. A small kiosk provides bathers with ice cream. The neighbouring Monbijoupark also offers a small playground, and older children can shoot hoops on the freely accessible basketball court.
Where: Oranienburger Straße 78, Mitte
When: Mondays to Sundays from 11am to 7pm
More information and current opening hours
Tip 11: Fin out if the animals play football
Whether young or old - at Zoo Berlin, the world's most species-rich zoo with over 20.000 animals, there are always exciting things to discover. A trip to Tierpark Berlin allows you to get up close and personal with around 10,000 native and exotic animals. Covering 160 hectares, the zoo not only invites you to watch fascinating animals, but also to take long walks through the lovingly designed park landscape. At Aquarium Berlin, you can immerse yourself in an impressive underwater world with fish and corals and explore the fascinating world of amphibians, reptiles and insects. Will the animals play football? You'll have to find out for yourself.
When: Open every day
Where: Hardenbergplatz 8, Tiergarten
